Food & Receipts

Preserving Water Dropwort: A Simple Guide to Keeping it Fresh as Newly Harvested

Introducing the delicate and delectable Vietnamese treats, Banh Khuc and Xoi Khuc. These refreshing snacks are a delight to indulge in, but the star ingredient, "Rau Khuc" - a unique vegetable, tends to perish quickly. Discover the ultimate guide to preserving the freshness of Rau Khuc, ensuring every bite of these desserts is as good as the first taste of the day.

Administrator

16 July, 2024

The summer heat brings with it a craving for refreshing treats, and one such delicacy is the Vietnamese cake made with rau khúc – a unique herb with a short season. This herb is the star ingredient of this beloved cake, but how can we preserve its freshness to enjoy this treat all year round? In this article, we will share some simple tips to keep your rau khúc fresh and flavorful.

1 Prepare the Ingredients

Rau khúc is the secret to the distinctive flavor of Vietnamese xôi (sticky rice) and cakes, and it is eagerly awaited by food enthusiasts each spring. However, this herb has an incredibly short season, blooming only in the third lunar month, with its delicate flowers signaling the end of spring.

Knowing this, we want to share a secret with all lovers of this special cake: a way to preserve the delicious flavor of rau khúc all year round through proper storage methods.

There are several popular methods for preserving rau khúc, including drying and grinding it into a powder, blanching and freezing, or boiling, mashing, and then freezing. However, to retain the herb’s full flavor, we recommend using fresh rau khúc.

Prepare the Ingredients

2 The Process

Step 1 Freshly picked rau khúc should be thoroughly washed multiple times to remove any dirt as it grows close to the ground.

Step 2 Boil a large pot of water and blanch the herb. Keep the heat high to maintain a rolling boil, which helps retain the herb’s vibrant green color and prevents it from becoming bitter.

Blanch the herb in boiling water.

Step 3 After blanching, let the herb cool, then chop or blend it into a fine paste. You can blend a large quantity of rau khúc with just one bowl of water.

Step 4 Transfer the blended herb into containers or ziplock bags and store them in the refrigerator. It is best to portion the herb into multiple bags so you can use a fresh bag each time, ensuring the remaining stored herb stays fresh and tasty.

Store the blended herb in containers or ziplock bags in the refrigerator.

3 Tips for Storing Rau Khúc

Pick young, fresh rau khúc with vibrant green leaves, free from any damage or wilting.
Rau khúc has a distinct aroma, so choose herbs with a mild fragrance and avoid any with a strong or unusual smell.
Purchase rau khúc early in the morning to ensure the freshest herbs.

Tips for selecting and storing rau khúc

Try out these effective preservation methods and enjoy the unique flavor of rau khúc all year round!

Frequently asked questions

To preserve water dropwort, you can follow these simple steps: remove any damaged parts, trim the roots and leaves, wash thoroughly, blanch the dropwort, dry it, and finally, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Removing any damaged parts and trimming the roots and leaves helps to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and decay. It also helps to remove any dirt or debris that may be present, ensuring that the dropwort stays clean and fresh.

Blanching is a process where the dropwort is plunged into boiling water for a short period of time and then immediately cooled in ice water. This process helps to deactivate enzymes that cause spoilage, preserving the color, texture, and flavor of the dropwort.

Properly preserved water dropwort can last for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Yes, you can also freeze water dropwort. Cut the dropwort into small pieces, blanch them, and then spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the pieces to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen dropwort can last for several months.